Cookware - Back to Business or Not

Observations at the trade shows this Spring consistently indicate increasing optimism among US suppliers and retailers.  This was buoyed by the surprisingly strong year end retail sales performance that has carried through into the first part of this year.  The side benefit has been the clearing of on site inventory which means retailers can start buying replacement products sooner than expected.

Despite this early year performance, nobody's sure about what to expect fro the consumer or when.  Everyone wonders how strong the roots of expanded spending are within this new era of thrift.  And, more importantly, whether the competitive landscape has been altered for the short term or long term.

There are many business observations and reports that discuss the "new normal" which is a short definition of fundamental change in tbe business environment.  A change that stipulates that the recovery following the economic stresses of the last couple of years will not be anything like the business situation before the recession.  It is unclear if this will be the situation in the housewares business.

However, the producers are moving forward with new releases anticipating the new normal will include a demand for innovative products.

Swiss Diamond is introducing the 19×10x6 covered roaster with a heat tempered vented cover. Also, new from Swiss Diamond is a vented covered version of its popular oval fry pan.

From Fissler comes a new premium cookware line, Solea, which the company said is a successor to the Intensa series.  Solea has oven-safe,  frameless concave glass lid, metal handles, and brushed exterior finish.

These will soon show up on retailers stores and will also be available at Your Smart Kitchen as soon as they are available from the suppliers.